Book-support.



No. 810,141. PATENTED JAN. 16, 1906. R. E. HALSELL & A. B. CAMPBELL.

BOOK SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, 1905.

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lcmm ai UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT EDWVARD HALSELL AND ALEXANDER BOWEN CAMPBELL, OF LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI.

BOOK-SUPPORT.

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Be it known that we, :ROBERT EDWARD I-IALsRLL and ALEXANDER BOWEN CAMP- BELL, citizens of the United States, residing at Laurel, in the county of Jones and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Supports, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to improvements in book-supports, and relates more particularly to a construction adapted for use in connection with the so-called sectional bookcases.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of two sections of a bookcase, the doors being shown as open.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view have been devised heretofore; but the pres-' ent invention accomplishes the desired result in a highly-satisfactory manner, is quickly and easily placed in position, and is adapted for use in sectional bookcases, where of necessity the device must be self-contained.

Referring to the drawings, A and B indicate two sections of a bookcase, each having mounted therein one of the supports or holders constituting the present invention. The upper section is shown as free from books to clearly disclose the holder, while the lower section contains a few books which are held close together in an upright position by the support.

The support may be said to comprise a frame upon which are mounted adjustable holding-fingers and means for keeping the frame in place within the case.

The frame is made up of two bars or rods 0 D of a length somewhat less thanthe interior longitudinal dimension of the bookcase or section into which it is to be fitted. Rods C D are connected to each other near their Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 5, 1905. Serial No. 269.014.

Patented. Jan. 16, 1906.

ends by two bars or vertically-disposed members E F, said members being of such a length that the rods C D will lie near to the top and bottom of the section, respectively.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the rods C D are slihtly reduced at one end, and a coiled spring is slipped thereon, the length of each rod with its spring being somewhat greater than the interior length of the section. This necessitates compression of the springs G in order to secure the frame in place within the section, which may be readily accomplished by placing the springs G against the end wall of the section, forcing rods C D against said springs, and swinging the frame inwardly into place. The springs will then force the opposite endsof the rods against the adjacent wall and hold the frame in position until the springs are again compressed.

Mounted upon each of the rods 0 D is a finger H, the outer free end being curved, so as to present a rounding bearing shoulder or face I. The inner end of each finger takes the form of a coil J, which encircles the rod upon which it is placed and makes a comparatively close fit therewith. Each coil is sufficiently large in diameter to admit of its being moved along the rod when the necessary force is applied to the coil or to the finger thereof near to the coil. Any pressure upon the finger at a point remote from the coil will cause the coil to bind upon the rod, and thus be held.

By preference the fingers H will be formed of spring material in order that a constant pressure may be maintained upon the books.

The operation of the holder or support is evident. As additional books are placed in the case from time to time the coils are moved along the rods sufiiciently to support the added book or books, as the case may be.

As will be appreciated, the holder may be readily positioned and removed, and it may be adjusted toward or from the front of the case, as occasion may require.

Where the books are all of the same depth, the frame serves as a stop to keep them in proper alinement.

What is claimed is 1. In combination with a bookcase, a pair of rods extending longitudinally thereof V means for holding said rods within the case and an adjustable finger mounted upon each rod.

2. In combination with a bookcase, a frame adjustably secured therein and extending longitudinally thereof; and means carried by the frame for bearing against the last book of a series placed within the case.

3. In combination with a bookcase, a frame adj ustably secured therein and extending longitudinally thereof; and a pair of fingers extending outwardly from the frame toward the front of the case, said fingers being adjustable longitudinally of the frame.

4. In combination with a bookcase, a pair of rods; a spring for securing each rod in place within the case; and an adjustable finger mounted upon each of said rods.

5. In combination with a bookcase, a frame having two longitudinally-disposed rods; a spring coacting with each rod to hold the frame in place; and a finger mounted upon and adjustable lengthwise of each rod.

6. In combination with a bookcase, a frame mounted therein, said frame comprising two longitudinally-disposed rods, and members connecting said rods; a pair of springs mounted upon the ends of the rods; and a bearing-finger mounted and longitudinally adjustable upon each of said rods.

7 In combination with a bookcase, a pair members for said rods; a coiled spring mounted upon one end of each of said rods; and a bearing-finger also mounted upon each of said rods, each finger having a coiled portion which encircles its rod, substantially as described.

8. In combination with a bookcase, means adjustably mounted therein and eXtending longitudinally thereof for limiting the move- .ment of the books rearwardly within the case; and means adjustably mounted upon of longitudinally-disposed rods; connecting 

